tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62407515947773574432024-02-18T20:50:53.708-08:00The road to God only knows.Ad Majorem Dei Gloriamzdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01654799787271699055noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240751594777357443.post-56654524224777894512010-05-25T06:22:00.000-07:002010-05-25T06:41:06.340-07:00Chacaltaya.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRoU1TFk_YtART6QvWR1VQvSyljno8Gazhio3QorNStOSfQZG6MQUtiGzdofHJoSjL-Tr071_9JszmsBbEwWEm_Nk2Jn8-h1PQn1PLvyPKLxNIYWlAWB3l769dAoLziXqXMBo8LOAOwJI/s1600/IMG_2358.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRoU1TFk_YtART6QvWR1VQvSyljno8Gazhio3QorNStOSfQZG6MQUtiGzdofHJoSjL-Tr071_9JszmsBbEwWEm_Nk2Jn8-h1PQn1PLvyPKLxNIYWlAWB3l769dAoLziXqXMBo8LOAOwJI/s320/IMG_2358.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475199722225437970" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7i7BLFxH6YU5ZIIAFwLjo3qo0S-iStuktnS9EeGXXN5Uv0ri-PcP1jhtJ-eOgZW3Pq-K8VhUqzLhVjxwKySPJa1IPD6b1QRl00bsFRmTMke8flC6HP3Mkema4Ked4_YAqg_m1WlqSBzk/s1600/IMG_2357.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7i7BLFxH6YU5ZIIAFwLjo3qo0S-iStuktnS9EeGXXN5Uv0ri-PcP1jhtJ-eOgZW3Pq-K8VhUqzLhVjxwKySPJa1IPD6b1QRl00bsFRmTMke8flC6HP3Mkema4Ked4_YAqg_m1WlqSBzk/s320/IMG_2357.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475199711757618994" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtsMUEujHiJKz5w-oG4UNN-aBoLToOQnnqBaTqqsYifEQfzBFGg229avi8YA9fRcvjf29QoqmaeGhCwlKLczyY8STyvHM6bIgKMa53p_7W8qFTvDaQ3HGspnCiENrUyf9BqFsQA0L6s4/s1600/IMG_2347.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtsMUEujHiJKz5w-oG4UNN-aBoLToOQnnqBaTqqsYifEQfzBFGg229avi8YA9fRcvjf29QoqmaeGhCwlKLczyY8STyvHM6bIgKMa53p_7W8qFTvDaQ3HGspnCiENrUyf9BqFsQA0L6s4/s320/IMG_2347.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475199706765342546" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">My friend, Isaac, and I went Mtn. Biking on Saturday 5/22/2010. We went to a mountain called Chacaltaya (5000+ meters). There used to be a ski resort at the top until the glacier disappeared.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We took bikes to the top and rode them back down to La Paz, Bolivia. It was a beautiful day of cycling in the mountains of Bolivia.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Isaac and I, with our friend Phil Kittelson, are hoping to go down the Death Road on the 29th. Hopefully, I'll have some good pictures and good stories to tell.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(The Mountain pictured above is Huayna Potosi.)</div>zdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01654799787271699055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240751594777357443.post-65594013714798480532010-05-24T09:24:00.000-07:002010-05-24T09:30:07.548-07:00Ain't No Sunshine<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8vZIVPb742g&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8vZIVPb742g&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>zdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01654799787271699055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240751594777357443.post-12684146421577270042010-04-22T09:27:00.000-07:002010-04-22T09:45:07.500-07:009 weeks.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghoJSco55mQY2nKfOoTTQ4O7NfjGzh7tYdU3o91gtjSt0OVvPzz36N48iQ-Gg8dE5uE-rz__630IEZYXe14iDbVNnlqaqmzy2_9Y3KmjCdsY__lbpkcgR7g8bJVJOuM98NJcezVrP7zoU/s1600/IMG_2288.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghoJSco55mQY2nKfOoTTQ4O7NfjGzh7tYdU3o91gtjSt0OVvPzz36N48iQ-Gg8dE5uE-rz__630IEZYXe14iDbVNnlqaqmzy2_9Y3KmjCdsY__lbpkcgR7g8bJVJOuM98NJcezVrP7zoU/s320/IMG_2288.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463000288019830338" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">In 9 weeks I will be a married man.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">2 months.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">65 days.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I just had a wonderful 10 day visit from my fiancee, Carolyn. She got to see where we'll be living together next year. She got to see the school where we'll be teaching. She got to meet my friends here.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We went to some of my favorite spots and restaurants around the city. Blueberries. Alexanders. The Star of India. (We like the Royal Taj better:) We saw the home where we'll be living next year. A beautiful place. Open. Surrounded by mountains. Cute and cozy inside. We were thrown an engagement party with a Mariaci (sp?) Band! We saw movies and got sodas and popcorn! (It's really cheap here:) We went for walks to the grocery store. We had grilled cheese and tomato soup. We went for a beautiful hike. We just enjoyed every moment we had together.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I really miss her.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We will be married in 9 weeks, but we will be together again in 6! I'm really looking forward to being home for the Summer and all that we have to look forward to. I have to make this flight alone only one more time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This 6 weeks will be hard. But I think it will be good, too, as we focus on the Lord, really focus on being present where we are, and get ready for the commitment we will be making on June 26.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I can't wait:) </div>zdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01654799787271699055noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240751594777357443.post-17608069829905212822010-03-10T16:45:00.000-08:002010-03-10T16:48:45.318-08:00Part of Bilbo's eleventy-first birthday speech.<div style="text-align: center;"><i>"I don't know half of you half as well as I should like and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.</i> This was unexpected and rather difficult. There was some scattered clapping, but most of them were trying to work it out and see if it came to a compliment."</div><div><br /></div><div>haha.</div>zdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01654799787271699055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240751594777357443.post-66523632015458192012010-01-26T05:28:00.000-08:002010-01-26T05:55:10.265-08:0028 years old.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaIiHriuaWCwgseORACLVRmxmry2GKQ2d0Sw_hCbrNoIPdRhfcl07LrkIHYsJZ1Z-RuUsdrlPg39qjCsy5v4wW819Fjtydjrmfgf-2CtBigSPG-gIlPAHc1qTWdPkc9scpiFXrh5Tb-wM/s1600-h/Photo+on+2010-01-26+at+09.53.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaIiHriuaWCwgseORACLVRmxmry2GKQ2d0Sw_hCbrNoIPdRhfcl07LrkIHYsJZ1Z-RuUsdrlPg39qjCsy5v4wW819Fjtydjrmfgf-2CtBigSPG-gIlPAHc1qTWdPkc9scpiFXrh5Tb-wM/s320/Photo+on+2010-01-26+at+09.53.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431046619325322114" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's going to be a great year.</div><div style="text-align: center;">(the 8th graders made me a birthday card:)</div>zdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01654799787271699055noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240751594777357443.post-22727433513095951422010-01-23T16:31:00.001-08:002010-01-23T16:52:28.470-08:00Zongo Valle.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY79Q3H0JfX7cdxR0UuuLk1p_PMvGIodf_SfdBUkd3g_YrxSe7k_5WSD6vwbGI8CAYgufWtUNLH9I8RdBWV-VU3v7igSl6uhDUvxUYLUVBXn7-iKCsJvdyvwa-YaC1ijwQ0vzbnKDCmik/s1600-h/IMG_1615.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY79Q3H0JfX7cdxR0UuuLk1p_PMvGIodf_SfdBUkd3g_YrxSe7k_5WSD6vwbGI8CAYgufWtUNLH9I8RdBWV-VU3v7igSl6uhDUvxUYLUVBXn7-iKCsJvdyvwa-YaC1ijwQ0vzbnKDCmik/s320/IMG_1615.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430102809273238130" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYMA5QZ9Wf_Z_OYjqEg0HOtdcjOMkO0Qx9O7uY8FxoXRZlbM26l4HIqHkz25jVGAOyRuzh9DHOBOkn7IlNhqfvrBHNKAkXln-XFg7cNSKQN1QenDD3u6MRU7oZa1vKLBZ4f6jc8utv8oI/s1600-h/IMG_1609.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYMA5QZ9Wf_Z_OYjqEg0HOtdcjOMkO0Qx9O7uY8FxoXRZlbM26l4HIqHkz25jVGAOyRuzh9DHOBOkn7IlNhqfvrBHNKAkXln-XFg7cNSKQN1QenDD3u6MRU7oZa1vKLBZ4f6jc8utv8oI/s320/IMG_1609.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430101916024639202" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDTddqH3sOqCIDlyDxr6cxhcyDGodMb32Ook_o7JF5SPUVFMxIvEJGhbRFKog90NInSUdLl85tXVdNb5W2WiPgQepzNhwlPuwg7RNGS_pSRgdjRa0BCS2eitkQ2vn-0z0cZ1keXZHlGH8/s1600-h/IMG_1612.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDTddqH3sOqCIDlyDxr6cxhcyDGodMb32Ook_o7JF5SPUVFMxIvEJGhbRFKog90NInSUdLl85tXVdNb5W2WiPgQepzNhwlPuwg7RNGS_pSRgdjRa0BCS2eitkQ2vn-0z0cZ1keXZHlGH8/s320/IMG_1612.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430100468264178706" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhydKgCK5kbpFzpEN-c0LbmisI1rsAObhdW-Sdsy4zzO8kURCRFaT29579jJsX7fnJg6HNIQJ05tIIMG4L4i5aTt9n0EIiU6BIo1_RGwHEbFrPSQmutflFwTdyhkQzryeSVrQ5jTdrC92o/s1600-h/IMG_1597.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhydKgCK5kbpFzpEN-c0LbmisI1rsAObhdW-Sdsy4zzO8kURCRFaT29579jJsX7fnJg6HNIQJ05tIIMG4L4i5aTt9n0EIiU6BIo1_RGwHEbFrPSQmutflFwTdyhkQzryeSVrQ5jTdrC92o/s320/IMG_1597.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430099445455738658" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizgcgy6NS_9JkaDBaTmw8oYDqR0UKUrJuHYVQ6i3-8lE7Ya0P6bi9ag3gWM2hOVLAuOHOSTbdqvDV3Tb5CUhfdYix15aBVPItMk1WueefA35e2pvtabQviKF-ALbRZDO6HRWaBmhrLrv0/s1600-h/IMG_1593.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizgcgy6NS_9JkaDBaTmw8oYDqR0UKUrJuHYVQ6i3-8lE7Ya0P6bi9ag3gWM2hOVLAuOHOSTbdqvDV3Tb5CUhfdYix15aBVPItMk1WueefA35e2pvtabQviKF-ALbRZDO6HRWaBmhrLrv0/s320/IMG_1593.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430098389861338370" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">love it.</div>zdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01654799787271699055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240751594777357443.post-80337200924325013452010-01-19T15:41:00.000-08:002010-01-22T21:18:51.480-08:00Fast Pive Months.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLf_u90sK_dluscJAl6W7RNTt98t-Tf6bmR4LSZ5cJLvemhu7KTqredutr5IqaJPmSgoFS2piPMUMGM1NVSNrTRmuDxw512ft1_vQCUWheZl8rASWwePAn8vCMOBpE0H9yodEqJQvojY/s1600-h/IMG_3608.JPG.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLf_u90sK_dluscJAl6W7RNTt98t-Tf6bmR4LSZ5cJLvemhu7KTqredutr5IqaJPmSgoFS2piPMUMGM1NVSNrTRmuDxw512ft1_vQCUWheZl8rASWwePAn8vCMOBpE0H9yodEqJQvojY/s320/IMG_3608.JPG.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428602921142047298" /></a><br /><div><div>I decided I didn't like my most recent post. So I'm editing it:)</div><div><br /></div><div>I did like the last line, so I'll keep that. </div><div><br /></div><div>I think, really, I just wanted to share that I'm engaged! However, seeing as how the only people who read this blog already know that, it's probably kind of a silly thing to blog about. </div><div><br /></div><div>I guess I could explain my subject. It comes from our engagement story.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was standing with Carolyn at the church in Mt. Adams shivering, enjoying being with each other, and enjoying the view. The ring was weighing heavy in my pocket. My mind had gone blank...However, this was the moment I'd been thinking about since around September...asking Carolyn to marry me! I had some things planned to say, but standing there with my girl in the freezing cold trying to get up the nerve to get on one knee, i couldn't for the life of me recall what some things were. </div><div><br /></div><div>The cold was becoming really cold. I finally remembered sort of what I was going to say. Either way, I needed to say something. I turned to face her and began. This spot is where we had our first date back in June. It was a lovely evening together. I think we were together for close to 8 hours and there wasn't one lull...It was just an amazing evening. However, back in June I was struggling with reconciling the feelings I was feeling for her with the fact that I was leaving the country in two months to Bolivia to teach... On the night of the engagement I explained that the last time we were at this spot (for our first date) I had no idea what was going to happen. We decided to date long distance. I told her the past five months, but I actually said the "fast pive months" (I was nervous!:) had been amazing. That I loved her so much and that it was nice being back at this spot again (on the night of the engagement) knowing that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. At this point I pulled out the ring, got down on one knee, and said, "Carolyn, will you marry me?" She said yes! </div><div><br /></div><div>A lot has happened in the fast pew months. I finished up the first semester of teaching about half way through December. I had a wonderful 3.5 week Christmas break at home in Cincinnati with Carolyn. With my family. With my friends. It couldn't have been better. Now I'm back in La Paaaaz, beginning the second semester of classes. Carolyn is going to visit in April! We can't wait:) </div><div><br /></div><div>At this point, Newandis' comment doesn't really make any sense, so I guess I should add again that after being engaged I learned that fiancee is spelled with 2 Es:) </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm now back in Bolivia. There is so much to look forward to. My heart aches for Carolyn. I think it will be a long semester...but a good semester. I am thankful to be teaching again and with the students. I'm praying for focus and for peace and for joy. I trust that God knows what He's doing... </div><div><br /></div><div>Life is good on the road to God only knows. </div></div>zdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01654799787271699055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240751594777357443.post-59697098459654800102009-11-30T04:56:00.000-08:002009-11-30T04:58:54.523-08:00The Four Loves."There is indeed a peculiar charm, both in friendship and in Eros, about those moments when appreciative love lies, as it were, curled up asleep, and the mere ease and ordinariness of the relationship (free as solitude, yet neither is alone) wraps us round. No need to talk. No need to make love. No needs at all except perhaps to stir the fire."zdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01654799787271699055noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240751594777357443.post-73930988446443435022009-11-03T03:39:00.001-08:002009-11-03T03:42:37.696-08:00The Takesi.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZpYTvPQCUc1Kq7cLdzrUHYTdjHxfgmoOvOW0EnSOcWJoVD-XayiLe_Yzj5_Lf1fD0qxKuc1YCpu79NWXPFHSqAvu8L6I2x3o4SGj7Jo0yasL99PXmsATSRbq-uQF1qsaRAFN0xTSc6ts/s1600-h/IMG_1310.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZpYTvPQCUc1Kq7cLdzrUHYTdjHxfgmoOvOW0EnSOcWJoVD-XayiLe_Yzj5_Lf1fD0qxKuc1YCpu79NWXPFHSqAvu8L6I2x3o4SGj7Jo0yasL99PXmsATSRbq-uQF1qsaRAFN0xTSc6ts/s320/IMG_1310.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399841287788567154" /></a><br /><div>Campsites don't get much better than this..</div>zdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01654799787271699055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240751594777357443.post-11435025762088703212009-10-26T05:46:00.000-07:002009-10-26T05:59:40.725-07:00A cow bought the farm...I had a very interesting weekend. As a staff we were going to Sorata for a retreat. It's a trekking hotspot. It was a beautiful place. We enjoyed some wonderful time relaxing together, worshipping, enjoying camp fires, eating good food. It was a nice weekend. It's a little rough being gone Saturday and Sunday and then having school on Monday...but all in all it was worth the time and effort. <div><br /></div><div>It was a good weekend...except for an incident that happened on Saturday. It's sort of hard to believe that it actually happened. On Saturday as we drove down, I was driving "the beast." The beast is a 1978 (I think) Toyota Land Cruiser. It truly is a beast. We were driving along through Bolivia on a nice road, going about 40-50 mph (the beast doesn't go anywhere very quickly). We were in a farming area and there was a cholita walking her herd of cattle/sheep/donkeys towards us in the other lane. No worries. The cows gave every indication that they were quite content in their lane. </div><div><br /></div><div>However, about right when I reach the herd, one of the cows decides it likes something on the other side of the road. So it gingerly walks across the road, sadly, right in the path of the oncoming truck. I slammed on the brakes but there just wasn't enough time to stop. I slammed into the cow going about 30 mph. </div><div><br /></div><div>It was horrible. Thankfully, no one inside the truck was injured. Sadly, the cow did not fair so well. It didn't die, but was laying in front of the truck in shock. A crowd quickly gathered. Thankfully, the Molenas were close by. Marcos Molena is Bolivian and works for the school. They turned around and came back to help. I don't know what we would have done if he hadn't been there. A truck full of americans. Killed a cow. The crowd could have quickly gotten out of hand. Marcos was able to talk to them and explain what happened and we were able to settle the matter quickly. We had to pay for the cow, about $400. </div><div><br /></div><div>Ironically, the beast comes equipped with a bull guard on the front. So the damage was minimal. Nothing happened to the engine. Which says a lot about the beast, because hitting an 800-1000 lbs. cow at around 30 mph probably would have totaled any other car. </div><div><br /></div><div>It was a sad thing that happened. I felt really bad about hitting and killing such a big animal.</div><div><br /></div><div>However, through all of it, even though some things about it are hard to understand, God's grace and provision did shine through. </div><div><br /></div><div>No one was hurt. </div><div><br /></div><div>Marcos was there to help.</div><div><br /></div><div>The truck still drives fine. </div><div><br /></div><div>I was driving instead of one of the girls. </div><div><br /></div><div>There were others in our group nearby to help gather together the money.</div><div><br /></div><div>The crowd did not riot or get out of hand. </div><div><br /></div><div>And other little ways. </div><div><br /></div><div>So it was not a fun experience. But I am glad everyone is okay. And hopefully the people in the town will be touched by our attitudes and actions towards them. We didn't get mad or angry or protest the price. We expressed our sympathy and our regret that it had happened. We paid for the cow. And Marcos prayed for them and the situation before we left. Hopefully, they saw something of the love of Christ in the craziness that happened. </div>zdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01654799787271699055noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240751594777357443.post-36704275985083759422009-10-18T12:20:00.000-07:002009-10-18T12:26:47.505-07:00<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">"Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away."</span></i></b></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">George Eliot</span></i></b></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></div>zdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01654799787271699055noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240751594777357443.post-79267094714922843142009-10-15T02:47:00.001-07:002009-10-15T02:49:23.525-07:00Live the questions.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><b><i>"</i></b></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><b><i>...I would like to beg you dear Sir, as well as I can, to have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. Don't search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer."</i></b></span></span></div><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 22px; "><p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: small; line-height: 19px; text-align: left; margin-bottom: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><b><i>Rainer Maria Rilke, 1903</i></b></span></p></span></span>zdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01654799787271699055noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240751594777357443.post-45830406449852521752009-10-12T10:55:00.000-07:002009-10-12T11:01:35.152-07:00Wacky Friday.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNBLYL2ivjox0fwYTVEMXb-20u_bOFWkdz59FohN2uMmKTu50S2KEtNkfLR9dsfNOD1KyP0UpkGxHpVEvU-ZW7GUEdnIOecMgi1V2aIuAQiihZ9IuVUlh0Oz9oflD5SzubKFKufOBCc0/s1600-h/IMG_1087.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNBLYL2ivjox0fwYTVEMXb-20u_bOFWkdz59FohN2uMmKTu50S2KEtNkfLR9dsfNOD1KyP0UpkGxHpVEvU-ZW7GUEdnIOecMgi1V2aIuAQiihZ9IuVUlh0Oz9oflD5SzubKFKufOBCc0/s320/IMG_1087.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391775119692817362" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">Wacky Friday.</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#000099;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#000099;"><b><br /></b></span></div>zdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01654799787271699055noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240751594777357443.post-48361317389460306452009-10-12T09:12:00.000-07:002009-10-12T10:55:06.225-07:00Zongo Valle.<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Zongo Valle. One of the most beautiful places I have ever been.</span></b></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqf1FdfjIGlvZ7rjp1kjJm6HBlcGOc2C2R4F9eJZg-33bokv9pWknahyucWIy-YCcJjsWy4pIKN8EmSJa0sFDk7zsb_rFsPPX8R3Zky3UpfMp3ZPk-Wt3Jt4cDhDWFNTnKNbCFOuGRVdc/s1600-h/IMG_1047.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqf1FdfjIGlvZ7rjp1kjJm6HBlcGOc2C2R4F9eJZg-33bokv9pWknahyucWIy-YCcJjsWy4pIKN8EmSJa0sFDk7zsb_rFsPPX8R3Zky3UpfMp3ZPk-Wt3Jt4cDhDWFNTnKNbCFOuGRVdc/s320/IMG_1047.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391773126928463058" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vPu7tGn1hIdLYpU_S_Eo0l2SAJxqmU2vtR_nWILxMNA3u3fa8phprH-Qrngf5eacN6MnPGxxybK7g1uwxXtEgsfc30tfaf88UH_FLUYo-wkoI0QdAXLzEIiWElNLOxFmq-0wIDrnFNY/s1600-h/IMG_1041.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vPu7tGn1hIdLYpU_S_Eo0l2SAJxqmU2vtR_nWILxMNA3u3fa8phprH-Qrngf5eacN6MnPGxxybK7g1uwxXtEgsfc30tfaf88UH_FLUYo-wkoI0QdAXLzEIiWElNLOxFmq-0wIDrnFNY/s320/IMG_1041.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391772312687532146" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8gHIL8IY4D5-tlvrCbz5Mm8zFTiDiumgyZok1VU6FCgKQdMdZFSCYZidbDqmlrnFePsl8jAiKukmlISAenAophNitByO3fhmqG9Xqs1vCaUPEfO749mVev3oDOW2c4UldM5hWffks_VI/s1600-h/IMG_1040.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8gHIL8IY4D5-tlvrCbz5Mm8zFTiDiumgyZok1VU6FCgKQdMdZFSCYZidbDqmlrnFePsl8jAiKukmlISAenAophNitByO3fhmqG9Xqs1vCaUPEfO749mVev3oDOW2c4UldM5hWffks_VI/s320/IMG_1040.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391769874907724658" /></a><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPLJTZg8lv_O_Cbmkdi3nzxILX3vOCSWL5u8l8zVPrYFDfXkzB4AQiXywC5DwU4GVSYSbpGL-3mFq9TJOFkPm9VLRjaNrgmDn9ZGjp2kqxZ3AgXSozjDEPBLb-O0Qb6od8NiyjLbIx_f8/s1600-h/IMG_1027.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPLJTZg8lv_O_Cbmkdi3nzxILX3vOCSWL5u8l8zVPrYFDfXkzB4AQiXywC5DwU4GVSYSbpGL-3mFq9TJOFkPm9VLRjaNrgmDn9ZGjp2kqxZ3AgXSozjDEPBLb-O0Qb6od8NiyjLbIx_f8/s320/IMG_1027.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391767797077524162" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#000099;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></b></span></div>zdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01654799787271699055noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240751594777357443.post-87168152895199092692009-09-23T04:18:00.000-07:002009-09-23T04:34:11.444-07:00Lake Titicaca (it's okay, you can say it)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_NH1DkesxUk3vMpok0t9k_LiYI7o2hJRcQDMjiMzx6wihk9CLo7Bs2gehbES2ejcCB3_6t5argnHkcVFAsXIHko8dCRt2MYz2MlL4aS0aGfREbJZyKqGULK88twxXRi9qtyZnC82YAQ/s1600-h/IMG_0990.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_NH1DkesxUk3vMpok0t9k_LiYI7o2hJRcQDMjiMzx6wihk9CLo7Bs2gehbES2ejcCB3_6t5argnHkcVFAsXIHko8dCRt2MYz2MlL4aS0aGfREbJZyKqGULK88twxXRi9qtyZnC82YAQ/s320/IMG_0990.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384623734371618610" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeRYtE4BXyWSX1pC2rK802qaCIYwfJtQxLlzWVKvvqilTeVo7iYyqGToCE5pdh1uK1_j_Up7UoCyfXQSJFPpH0JCcH8ypTr2kb4QClxfiYie3-1NTfQO31e0flMhrzTRMkVwYaBCoHQsM/s1600-h/IMG_0967.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeRYtE4BXyWSX1pC2rK802qaCIYwfJtQxLlzWVKvvqilTeVo7iYyqGToCE5pdh1uK1_j_Up7UoCyfXQSJFPpH0JCcH8ypTr2kb4QClxfiYie3-1NTfQO31e0flMhrzTRMkVwYaBCoHQsM/s320/IMG_0967.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384623373563355474" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHAX1pJ3gZOjomU7qPk2Ln4MzpBDIiDmMEECkrNeZPd1Un-OW1CtPMoKL5SQp1zGa89kvHQalgMd552w1_c31EBbv56UfIilYPwWoxYJDGu1-70WQ3Q8sLJ66NiiFW_6rlA2cyf077IA/s1600-h/IMG_0845.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHAX1pJ3gZOjomU7qPk2Ln4MzpBDIiDmMEECkrNeZPd1Un-OW1CtPMoKL5SQp1zGa89kvHQalgMd552w1_c31EBbv56UfIilYPwWoxYJDGu1-70WQ3Q8sLJ66NiiFW_6rlA2cyf077IA/s320/IMG_0845.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384622804529447458" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDp7jUl5hTIaaBTGUGLAwb9oykpt2eHM7UlhZTCqWc9CGPGumyOpw-5Iz1V7jAISs1lV35FgHTn5adJWRPf8-rlQf0dd_c7VtXb4hRSCPcFkc8-WRWiviCTOOJfYgxygPVj6vHT-v4CSM/s1600-h/IMG_0898.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDp7jUl5hTIaaBTGUGLAwb9oykpt2eHM7UlhZTCqWc9CGPGumyOpw-5Iz1V7jAISs1lV35FgHTn5adJWRPf8-rlQf0dd_c7VtXb4hRSCPcFkc8-WRWiviCTOOJfYgxygPVj6vHT-v4CSM/s320/IMG_0898.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384622198898268914" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlXMfNE5JFwokOG39_AkNYo67r6Zxg52TAUIJ0V8O_JlC6EAcTm3hckCj5-bpbueOf3ff5vDSr8EvV-fF3SFcRxWP-RkNprL3BDr5IV7a8CHLkl2EeZ-KNj_ZslnTCtV85RglKmouxQs/s1600-h/IMG_0865.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlXMfNE5JFwokOG39_AkNYo67r6Zxg52TAUIJ0V8O_JlC6EAcTm3hckCj5-bpbueOf3ff5vDSr8EvV-fF3SFcRxWP-RkNprL3BDr5IV7a8CHLkl2EeZ-KNj_ZslnTCtV85RglKmouxQs/s320/IMG_0865.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384621820292733042" border="0" /></a><br />Lake Titicaca is a beautiful place. I believe it sits at around 12,500 ft. And is the highest navigable lake in the world (that's according to Bolivia...this factoid is debated by other countries with higher lakes:). We can safely say it's ONE of the highest navigable lakes in the world. We had Monday off from school so 7 of us teachers went to Lake Titicaca. One of the teachers, Stephanie, got us the hook up through a friend of a friend who owns a lake house there. It was awesome. We relaxed, read, played games, hiked, tossed the disc. It was a nice way to spend our weekend.zdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01654799787271699055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240751594777357443.post-71357937580934427272009-09-11T13:21:00.001-07:002009-09-11T13:22:18.581-07:00Week 5 done.Well, that was a riveting discussion on Conditional Immortalism :) <br /><br />In other news...<br /><br />We've finished the 5th week of classes. We are tearing through this semester. <br /><br />I just went running. It was very hard... That's all I have to say about that. <br /><br />Have a good weekend!zdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01654799787271699055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240751594777357443.post-74185659881416790592009-09-01T11:09:00.000-07:002009-09-01T11:17:49.936-07:00Conditional Immortalism.http://wisdomandfollyblog.com/2009/08/04/a-defense-of-conditional-immortalism/<br /><br />Hey faithful readers:<br />I'd love to hear your thoughts on the above blog post. <br /><br />The more traditional view of Hell is that if you don't believe in Jesus you will go to hell and suffer conscious torment for eternity. <br /><br />Another view of hell called Annihilationism says that there is no punishment in hell...when you die you are just annihilated. <br /><br />The view presented in the blog, Conditional Immortalism, does hold to a very real punishment in hell...however, it is only for a designated time. Ultimately, a non-believer, after punishment is destroyed and will no longer exist. <br /><br />The blog, wisdomandfollyblog.com, is my professor's and his wife's, Jim and Amy Spiegel. Spiegel is a professor of philosophy at Taylor University. At Taylor I was in a band with him and with Steve and Chris Jones. I got really close with them and with Jim's family my last couple years at Taylor. <br /><br />Many of you know I start many thoughts and stories with, "Well, Spiegel says..."<br /><br />I hope you are able to get something from his and Amy's blog.zdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01654799787271699055noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240751594777357443.post-64909443982311995182009-08-31T04:45:00.000-07:002009-08-31T05:09:24.923-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM7GkJOYiGBOn2HcMvKmporBcQVKj9RMdlJC-YNR0Jihde3IKOelJdptyKmTvfiioWScUrGZctGUau-e_7k5bXHjHwo0OjEbH-k5tT0LuoWQlrlm5rPNT-0-ND6g0Ou6qOKQihSvxc-T4/s1600-h/IMG_0794.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM7GkJOYiGBOn2HcMvKmporBcQVKj9RMdlJC-YNR0Jihde3IKOelJdptyKmTvfiioWScUrGZctGUau-e_7k5bXHjHwo0OjEbH-k5tT0LuoWQlrlm5rPNT-0-ND6g0Ou6qOKQihSvxc-T4/s320/IMG_0794.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376093767162504002" border="0" /></a><br />I got the bike late last week! It's been a complete joy to have and drive. Love it. I'll have to write more later about what it's like to drive in the traffic here. But for now, just wanted to show you the bike. peace.zdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01654799787271699055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240751594777357443.post-60570005063785418682009-08-15T18:45:00.000-07:002009-08-15T18:56:53.316-07:00Motorcycle.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCSSwQXHOM93wqEFrydvEcIuooGvU6Wn1bMNZ7QewwR5JmMIV-iODLLsC8n0B6G49yPvNhyphenhyphenlQxC7coYjPBF4egJUkkwu3wMBObkimvMgYW4d-YBbW1PFBECCMYwIKcKbB2ExPawmu3cU/s1600-h/IMG_0758.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCSSwQXHOM93wqEFrydvEcIuooGvU6Wn1bMNZ7QewwR5JmMIV-iODLLsC8n0B6G49yPvNhyphenhyphenlQxC7coYjPBF4egJUkkwu3wMBObkimvMgYW4d-YBbW1PFBECCMYwIKcKbB2ExPawmu3cU/s320/IMG_0758.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370372984594247122" border="0" /></a><br />I went and looked at a motorcycle today. Unfortunately, the mechanic was working at it so it wasn't in a condition to ride. The bike is pictured second from the left. It's a Kawasaki KMX 200 2 stroke dirt bike/motorcycle. Scott, my roommate, and I rode over on his bike to the mechanic. He left his bike there to get some maintenance done on it. It was awesome riding on the bike over to the mechanic. So freeing to be on a bike...feel the breeze in your face...there's not the jerking and bumping and crowded stuffiness that comes with public transportation. I'm really excited to have a bike of my own and to be able to explore the city with more freedom. The bike I'm looking at is owned by the mechanic...so hopefully, that means it's in good condition. <br /><br />Should be ready on Wednesday. Perhaps the next post will be sitting on my <span style="font-style: italic;">new</span> motorcycle.zdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01654799787271699055noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240751594777357443.post-21737305766362429932009-08-06T16:04:00.000-07:002009-08-08T03:44:41.477-07:00from Bolivia..My first post from South America. I arrived here in La Paz, Bolivia on July 26, 2009 at about 6:30 am. We had a very warm welcome from the other staff and other local missionaries as we got our luggage and made our way out of the airport. It was really nice being greeted by warm hugs and handshakes. We were even each given a bottle of water to drink. Hydration is very important the first few days as you adjust to the altitude and the climate.<br /><br />We were then all shuffled into various vehicles that were to take us to our new homes. Isaac and I are living in a house. It was an interesting adventure getting into the house. None of the keys we had actually worked... So we were forced to jump the gate and open it from the inside. Then the house keys wouldn't work. So we were forced to find a broken window, jimmy the latch, and climb in. Actually...not very encouraging how easy it was to break in :)<br /><br />But, no worries, we rolled with it. Alison, one of the returning teachers, made us some muffins. She even went to the store while we unpacked and got us a few things to eat, i.e. yogurt, eggs, bread, fruit, milk, cereal. So even though we had to break in, we still felt welcome.<br /><br />The first week was spent with Ashlyn and Alison showing us the city. Ashlyn and Alison are both returning teachers. They came early to organize and run the orientation week. We learned our way around the city. We learned how to use public transportation. We got cell phones. We went shopping for blankets and things we forgot or were planning on getting here. It was a good week. It was a fairly smooth process...surprisingly. Moving from one Country to another Country can come with all sorts of complications...but I'm actually amazed how quickly I began to feel comfortable and at ease.<br /><br />This second week has been a Teacher Work Week. All the teachers are here now. And we've been going to the school every day (except today (Thursday) because it's Bolivia Day! Don't forget to celebrate Bolivia's independence!). We've had meetings. We've organized classrooms. We've organized schedules. We've prepared lessons. It's been busy but really good.<br /><br />It's starting to really sink in that I'm going to be an actual teacher with an actual classroom with actual students giving actual lessons and grades in an actual accredited school...sort of intimidating...okay, <span style="font-style: italic;">very</span> intimidating! But I'm liking my schedule. 8, 9, 10, and 11/12 grade Bible classes. The curriculum looks good. There's just a lot I'm going to have to remember to do, like give out homework assignments and grade papers and stuff like that...teacher stuff that I've never really had to think about doing.<br /><br />Altitude. Thankfully, hasn't been a huge issue. There's the occasional shortage of breath when going up stairs or climbing hills. I had a couple of interesting experiences going for a run and riding my bike to work...both were fine until the road goes up...then it's amazing how difficult it becomes. Like you're breathing very hard but it's not really helping at all. <br /><br />...<br /><br />Well, i started the above post on Thursday evening. It's now Saturday morning. It's rainy out. And we have to go to the school again for Open House for the parents and students. With the rain, I'll be interested to see how many people come. <br /><br />If no one comes, it will still be good to be there and work on some more lesson plans.zdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01654799787271699055noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240751594777357443.post-47893957626350726662009-07-20T11:42:00.000-07:002009-07-20T11:43:23.983-07:005 days.I leave the Country in 5 days!!!zdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01654799787271699055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240751594777357443.post-54476356104285158742009-06-22T19:34:00.000-07:002009-06-22T19:46:59.813-07:00MissionaryI'm currently in Southaven, Mississippi. I'm here attending the PFO (pre-field orientation) for my new job teaching through NICS (Network of International Christian Schools) in La Paz, Bolivia. <br /><br />PFO is 2 weeks of meeting teachers, learning about third culture kids, learning what to expect living, teaching, and serving in a new culture. <br /><br />It's been good. <br /><br />I wasn't super excited about these 2 weeks. Mostly because my time is running short here in the US. It's hard to give up 2 weeks when I only have 5 left. However, I'm very hopeful that this will be an invaluable and enriching time. <br /><br />I had a really interesting and good conversation with Nate at dinner tonight. He's the director at the school in Venezuela. <br /><br />He was explaining something of the political and spiritual climates in Venezuela and Bolivia...I guess South America in general. It's a dark place. The Bolivian president, Ayma, has been on television offering animal sacrifices...<br /><br />And the nature of these schools is powerful ministry. Since these schools offer an excellent international education people from all walks of life are willing to come and learn. They are receiving a Christian education along with all the other subjects. But they don't mind "putting up with" I guess the Christian aspect because they are respected, accredited, international schools. <br /><br />So these schools have a platform to ministry to people that many churches and ministries don't have! <br /><br />This director, Nate, warned me that it is a battlefield. I need to have people specifically praying for me. I need to specifically begin preparing for ministering and serving in what will definitely be a very difficult place to live and work...<br /><br />I think the conversation for the first time really brought home what I'm going to do. I'm going to live and serve Jesus Christ as a missionary in La Paz, Bolivia. It can easily feel like just a really cool job...a sweet new opportunity...an awesome international experience in a new culture...which it is ALL those things. I'm excited for the adventure of it all. <br /><br />However, I don't want to forget the strong spiritual opposition I will encounter. <br /><br />I definitely need to be prepared. And I definitely need all the prayers I can get.zdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01654799787271699055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240751594777357443.post-38130911627236790122009-05-12T10:35:00.000-07:002009-05-12T10:49:34.879-07:0012,000 ft......is a high elevation. I will call this elevation home for two years. Cincinnati is a lot lower than that...I'm really curious how my body will react and adjust over 2 miles above sea level. I'm anticipating altitude sickness. I've already experienced altitude sickness at 10,000ft in the mountains of Colorado. Just a headache. How long will a headache last? I don't like to take advil...would it even help? Does Coca tea help? How long before I don't feel like a chain smoker just walking around town? Will I ever be able to get in a hard workout? Mountain biking? Trail running? <br /><br />I hope so. <br /><br />Will I notice a difference when I'm back in the states visiting? <br /><br />It will be fun to experience. <br /><br />I'm not feeling many nerves yet about my trip. I know it will be difficult to leave my family, friends, and the familiar. I know I'll have some depression and loneliness. I know some days I'll probably wonder why in the world I decided to do this...but mostly, I hope I'm just rock solidly founded in Christ, and hope I can rest in the peace knowing that He's in control...even on awful days. <br /><br />I think what I'm most nervous about is the responsibility of teaching and preaching the Bible to a bunch of non-believing high schoolers...I don't want to just tickle ears. I want to be true to the Word. I want to preach Truth and Love. <br /><br />I love the approach Piper, Driscoll, Chandler take in their congregations...I want to have that sort of intentional approach.<br /><br />But it's just a chapel service. Is that different than a church? It's a Bible class to non-believers...I'm not really sure what I'll be teaching.<br /><br />This first year will be interesting. I hope I can maintain a humble approach to teaching and living in Bolivia. I'm sure I will probably learn as much, if not more, as I'll be teaching...zdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01654799787271699055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240751594777357443.post-41455935549482706472009-04-24T09:47:00.000-07:002009-04-24T09:58:01.338-07:00"Thanks for asking."I watched <em>There will be Blood </em>last night. Thomas hadn't planned on watching the movie with me. However, there we sat, enthralled. I'll give the film that, it is engaging. Beautiful cinematography. Slow, beautiful study shots. Fascinating characterization. It's an interesting story...I'm not sure what to think, really. The flim kept my undivided attention. It's rare that a movie will do that. I usually get bored, antsy, eager for the credits to roll.<br /><br />Daniel Day Lewis' character is brilliant. His dialogue. His mannerisms. His expressions. His way of speaking to people. His solitude and privacy. <em> </em><br /><br />I would say more...but I'm not ready to yet. I need to ponder this one for a few more days. If you've seen it, then I'd love to read your thoughts and impressions. If you haven't seen it, it's definitely worth your time.zdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01654799787271699055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240751594777357443.post-87818339434918916832009-04-21T14:08:00.001-07:002009-04-21T14:37:45.408-07:00Boston Marathon 2009.I ran the 2009 Boston Marathon on Monday. 26 miles, 385 yards. Hopkinton to Boston. It was an amazing day. <br /><br />I wasn't nervous about the run. Curious is more how I would describe my feeling. This marathon was the least prepared I'd ever been before a marathon. The past two months I hadn't been running. I ran 12 miles on the Monday a week before the race. I was sore for three days. Then I ran 5 miles on the Friday before the race...before that, it'd been about 7-8 weeks since I'd ran. I haven't been a slug, however; I've been training quite intensely on the bicycle. But still...even with all the cardio and endurance cycling provides...26.2 miles is a long way...and pounding on the legs and body is quite brutal. And being sore after 12 miles, I wasn't quite sure how I would hold up. I was curious. Will I feel okay? Will I have a total melt down? Will it just be average? Will I pull out some sort of crazy feat? <br /><br />The weekend was great. I stayed with friends in Boston on the North shore. My friend Laura also went for the weekend. So it was a great time being with friends. Very relaxing. <br /><br />Another friend, Angie, was also running the race. I stayed with her on Sunday night, close to downtown, in her apt. It was great having a friend also running the race. We were able to encourage each other in our lack of preparations :) Her brother made us breakfast in the morning. And it was nice just having a friend on the bus to Hopkinton.<br /><br />Race morning was perfect. The weather was cool and slightly overcast. The energy in Hopkinton was fabulous. 26,000+ runners taking care of last minute race preparations. Talking, laughing, hanging out, getting ready. Sort of a nervous energy just crackling through the town. <br /><br />I ran Boston in 2007...the worst weather I've ever run in. COLD. <span style="font-style: italic;">WINDY</span>. RAINY. It was awful. I mean, it was sweet running Boston, but it was awful. The runners suffered. The times suffered. The crowd turn out suffered. <br /><br />I remember being impressed with the crowd in 2007. It was still a lot more people cheering than normal. And I remember being a bit sceptical when people told me it was probably about 1/10th of the normal turnout.<br /><br />They were not exaggerating. <br /><br />Since the weather on Monday was so beautiful, the crowds were full and energetic. The number of screaming spectators along almost the entire 26.2 mile length of road was overwhelming! People handing out water and gatorade. Kids asking for "high fives" and handing out orange slices. It was great! It awesome how the city gets behind this race. And definitely made running a lot more enjoyable. <br /><br />My run went well. I was maintaining about a 7 minute mile pace for most of the race. I was really good about staying relaxed and focused, not letting the crowd or the downhill sections lure me into running faster than I knew I should. I was on pace to do it in just over 3 hours, thinking maybe if I felt good enough I could pick it up at the end and come in under 3 hours. However, the last 6 miles or so, the hills took it out of me. I never slowed down too much, but I also didn't have the leg turnover to pick up the pace at all. I finished with a time of 3 hours and 7 minutes. <br /><br />The highlight of the race: Wellsley College. There's a big sign proceeding the Wellsley section which reads, "Feel the Scream." They are not kidding. About a half mile before you get to Wellsley you can already hear them screaming. And when you get there...it's wild. 1000s of screaming college girls :) holding signs that say "Kiss me!" Well, all right. Mostly I just ran along the fence giving "high fives." A few times, though, I went for it. Twice I got cheeked...they turned their faces at the last second. One time, though; money. Wellsley...yeah, I'll be back to Boston some day :)<br /><br />So, yes. It was a great weekend. Great time with friends. Great time relaxing away from work and the daily grind. And a great race. I'm quite sore, though. I think I'll just relax and take it easy.zdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01654799787271699055noreply@blogger.com2